Chapter 12 ~ Your Family

To say Hermione had been surprised that the Head of St. Mungos strode from her office giving the two women privacy was an understatement. But, it was obvious, that Minerva and the eccentric Administrator were friends; long time friends by the open dialogue that had been exchanged between the two.

Minerva waited until the door latched closed before turning to the wall, and asking Dily's for privacy as well; and with a sigh Dily's nodded. She knew from the look etched upon the elder witch's face that she wanted privacy; she just hoped Filius wasn't still in a meeting with Sybil – she did so despise having to overhear meetings with the woman.

"Now," Minerva turned back to Hermione, concern lacing her once prominent features. "What ever is the matter, dear?"

Hermione reached into her robes, pulling the yellowing letter from its depths. "I have only just received and read this." She whispered, heart hammering in her chest. "It seems to have been delivered that night at the Burrow; as I had gone there to break off my engagement to Ron…"

"Put it away, Hermione." She breathed out, voice strained. "Those words were written a lifetime ago."

"I am and always have been far more interested in the feelings behind them." She felt her own voice thicken. "Can you honestly stand there and say that you don't care for me?" A tremble lacing her words, "Because I can't. Damn it to hell, I thought I was over you. Have been telling myself that for twenty years. Have ignored the way my heart flutters when your eyes momentarily catch mine and see a buried longing in your eyes; believing that it has been my imagination. Then I got this…" She shook the parchment for emphasis, "This!"

"What do you want to hear Hermione?" A sound of defeat laced her Scottish brogue. "You are a married woman, with two children; and that…" She pointed to the yellow parchment she had penned her heart and soul onto all those years ago, "Was written before you had made a commitment and pledged your life; moving on. Do you not think it was hard for me to move on as well? To watch you get married and have children?" She sighed, purging a long buried truth from her soul. "Yes, I do have and will undoubtedly always have feelings for you; Hermione. But, you need to let the words contained in that letter remain there."

Hermione's jaw inadvertently slackened, "How can you say that?"

"Because that letter was written twenty years ago."

"And the feelings that I have for you?"

"You have been happy and content in your marriage…"

Hermione edged incrementally closer, "I don't want contentment;" She breathed, "I've never wanted it." Tentatively her hand reached upwards, shaking fingers barely trailing along Minerva's jaw. "I've only ever wanted you."

Minerva's heart sped up at the fleeting touch, momentarily deadening her senses and thought; "I can't…" She took a step back, clearing her throat as she fought for an ounce of solidarity beneath her. "Neither can you."

"Minerva…"

"You're married…"

"Kiss me." Hermione took two steps closer, "Like you wanted to all those years ago."

"You know as well as I," Minerva whispered, "That it won't be one kiss."

Hermione's eyes leveled upon her lips, "I know." She involuntarily moistened her own, "And right now, I just…need to feel you. Your love."

"Hermione, please…don't ask this of me." Her mighty reserves crumbling to the want, the need, the underlining desire coursing through her. And she felt herself leaning forward, murmuring against moist lips, "Think of Ronald; your children…"

"For just one moment, I'm being selfish and giving in to my desires…" She ran her hand up Minerva's neck and into the graying silken strands of the hair along her temple.

And Minerva could no longer stop herself…as her left hand snaked into Hermione's chestnut locks and both women succumbed to the moment. Lips gently sliding across the others as they slowly gave way to a second and third kiss; before lips separated and their tongues were met with moans. Fingers threading and drawing the other closer, a second moan being wrenched from Hermione's depths as Minerva pulled away. Hermione stared into liquid emerald eyes, feeling a gush of warmth pool at her center.

"Know that I've never stopped wanting you, Hermione." Her thick cadence rumbling between them, "However, you are not mine to have."

"I'll get a divorce." She whispered.

Long elegant fingers slid across Hermione's face, a sadness lacing her green eyes. "No," She shook her head as her fingers fell from her jaw. "You won't."

"I want …" Her fingers brushed across Minerva's lips.

"As do I." Minerva thickly replied as her eyes fluttered close as a tear slipped down her cheek. "However, you had better go."

"Minerva…"

Her jaw rippled as she shook her head, tear filled eyes opening and meeting brown ones. They held the others for a long moment before Minerva's broken voice stated, "You have my heart, Hermione. Never forget that." A sad smile graced her face, "But your family is waiting for you."

A/N: The evil imp perched on my shoulder is vying for continued angst…